Drake strolled into the Konoha Military Police Headquarters.
"Hokage-sama."
Uchiha Shisui immediately stood to greet him.
"Where's your clan head?" Drake asked casually.
"Father is guiding the clan's genin."
"Oh? Preparing for the Chūnin Exams?"
"Yes."
"Take me."
Uchiha Clan Compound
At the edge of the training square, Drake spotted a very familiar figure.
Arms crossed.
Chin raised.
Full arrogance mode.
Obito.
"Why are you all so weak?" Obito lectured a group of young Uchiha genin.
"We are the noble Uchiha clan! If you go to the Chūnin Exams like this, you'll disgrace our name!"
The poor genin trembled.
"I used to be dead last!" Obito continued proudly.
"But through hard work, my strength now rivals the Fourth Hokage!"
Drake folded his arms behind him, smiling.
Shisui coughed loudly.
Obito glanced sideways—
—and froze.
Drake stood there, arms folded, smiling in identical posture.
"…I just exaggerated a little… why did he actually appear?"
"Clan Head! The Hokage is here!" Obito shouted before disappearing instantly.
Meeting with Uchiha Fugaku
"Fourth, what brings you here?"
"The paperwork has grown again. I'll need your help."
Fugaku nodded immediately.
Just as expected.
Drake handled battles.
Fugaku handled documents.
Efficient governance.
"Where's Minato?" Fugaku asked.
"Teacher is on an extremely high-level mission."
"Need support? Obito and Shisui are available."
"No. This mission requires advanced concealment."
Shisui straightened.
"My Lord, I'm not afraid."
Drake smiled.
"How's your invisibility?"
"…."
"Train harder."
He patted Shisui's shoulder.
Interruption — The Advisors
Before leaving the compound, Drake was stopped by the two senior advisors:
Koharu Utatane
Homura Mitokado
"Your inauguration ceremony still hasn't been held," Koharu reminded.
"Your robes are ready. You need to try them," Homura added.
"That's it?"
They proposed holding the ceremony after all the foreign Kage arrived for the Chūnin Exams.
Drake agreed immediately.
Good political optics.
Outside the Village — White Zetsu Report
A White Zetsu clone intercepted him.
"Lord Drake. The original has infiltrated an organization called 'Akatsuki.'"
Drake's eyes lit up.
"Details."
"He's in a cave in the Land of Rain. Thirty-six ninjas. Leader not present."
Drake made a decision instantly.
"Connect me."
He placed his hand on the White Zetsu clone.
His spiritual consciousness transmitted through it.
After gathering information—
He withdrew.
Then—
He pressed his palm against a tree.
Ultra Long-Distance Wood Release
Chakra surged violently into the roots.
The forest became a transmission network.
Ten percent.
Thirty percent.
Fifty percent.
He stopped only after consuming half his chakra.
Land of Rain — Thousands of Miles Away
In the rain-soaked forest—
The ground trembled.
A wooden structure began rising from beneath the soil.
It twisted.
Shaped.
Solidified.
Drake.
A Wood Release clone.
"Half my chakra… barely enough for a stable body."
White Zetsu stared in awe.
"No flattery. Lead."
Akatsuki Cave — Land of Rain
White Zetsu (disguised as "Liuli") entered first.
Drake followed.
A ninja flashed forward instantly.
"Liuli! Why did you bring a stranger here?!"
Drake stepped forward calmly.
"Last chance."
"Tell me where your leader is."
The cave atmosphere dropped several degrees.
Thirty-six chakra signatures inside.
But none were the one he was looking for.
The hunt was accelerating.
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